aMSN for Mac

Alternative to Microsoft Messenger supporting webcams

aMSN is an alternative to Messenger for Mac 7.0, with more features yet a more slimline interface.Most importantly, it supports video although please be aware that in this latest release, due to a change by Microsoft in the way Messenger handles... View full description

Softonic review

Most importantly, it supports video although please be aware that in this latest release, due to a change by Microsoft in the way Messenger handles AV protocols, this latest release of aMSN does not support video or audio clips at the moment although the developers hope to resolve this soon. It should also be noted that the latest release of Microsoft Messenger for Mac does now support audio and video.

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aMSN's chat client looks very similar to Microsoft's product yet differs on a number of points. aMSN's developers have delved into the preferences menu, adding extra little features like event alerts and sounds, conferencing support or autoaway messages. Like with MSN Messenger you'll be able to transfer files and organize all your contacts into groups on aMSN.

The big draw of aMSN however is webcam and audio clips support. You had to be a corporate user of MSN Messenger for Mac 7.0 to use webcams but aMSN allows you to do so for free. Starting a webcam is easy (simply by clicking on the webcam button in a chat dialog) although there is no real time audio yet. However, you can record audio clips to send to contacts. Read more about this feature on our OnSoftware blog here.

One of the biggest pet peeves of users with aMSN is the interface. It simply doesn't compare with more sleeker, more recent IM clients. In the developer's defense though you can download all sorts of skins from the program's website. Similarly it offers up a range of plugins, to customize your client to your liking. Chat addicts will also appreciate the animated emoticons on hand.

In a few words, aMSN is a good alternative to MSN for users looking to add more plugins, skins and delve into the preferences menu.

New Contact List !!
We can drag contacts between groups
New login window
Added support for Offline Messages
Voice clips : sending and receiving !
New default skin + new smiley set
DualDisplayPicture plugin into the core
Add Audio and Video Assistant
support for JPEG webcams
support for UYVY palette
fix bug with PWC driver
Only for amsn-remote,fixed possible DoS attack, and make remote not reply to commands when it's not enabled, instead of waiting for authentication and parsing commands, which may lead to parse errors.
Fix bugs with DP browser
Added new bindings to manage tabs
Show Web/Online for people using webmessenger
added tkdnd for windows,
Fix smileys menu issues
Fix file transfert bugs but some still remains
Fix bugs with chameleon
Improve linflash
Fix to the first libmimic bug ever, in 2 years
Fix bug with http proxies

Changes

New Contact List !!
We can drag contacts between groups
New login window
Added support for Offline Messages
Voice clips : sending and receiving !
New default skin + new smiley set
DualDisplayPicture plugin into the core
Add Audio and Video Assistant
support for JPEG webcams
support for UYVY palette
fix bug with PWC driver
Only for amsn-remote,fixed possible DoS attack, and make remote not reply to commands when it's not enabled, instead of waiting for authentication and parsing commands, which may lead to parse errors.
Fix bugs with DP browser
Added new bindings to manage tabs
Show Web/Online for people using webmessenger
added tkdnd for windows,
Fix smileys menu issues
Fix file transfert bugs but some still remains
Fix bugs with chameleon
Improve linflash
Fix to the first libmimic bug ever, in 2 years
Fix bug with http proxies

aMSN 0.98.9

User reviews about aMSN

fix the webcam issues please.
the cams need to get fixed on here because the microsoft messenger 8.0 doesnt work on all of the macs. are some mac users just not supposed to use their cams? More

reviewed on July 20, 2010

by Nick Mead

Re: Espected Cam Update???? .
I think it is unlikely aMSN will be able to support webcams anymore. Microsoft have changed the protocol that allows aMSN to use Webcams with Messenger so to encourage people to use its new version of MSN Messenger 8.0 which does work with webcams:http://microsoft-messenger8.en.softonic.com/mac.Pros: -Cons: - More

reviewed on June 8, 2010

by Anonymous

Espected Cam Update????.
Hey,
Thanx for all the info it has been helpful.
Any news on when we can expect as resolution to the web cam issue with the latest version of amsn?This is a killer for all us mac users and we really need a solution............ More

reviewed on June 7, 2010

by Anonymous

Much better than official MSN but still has issues.
Good because unlike the official software shows pictures and easy to use but there is a slowness within the program moving around the contacts but saying that I will the convo windows as in it adds a convo like a tab not another window.Pros: Easy to use
Just like official software
Shows pictures
Keeps nickname.Cons: Slow moving around contracts
Unable to web cam my girlfriend :'-( More

reviewed on May 17, 2010

by Anonymous

WEBCAM?!?.
Hi, great job for aMSN but, the webcam connection with newest protocol in msn is not good supported :(
Pleas, fix this problem soon as possible!!!!!! More